Method for manufacturing a spool

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing a reel seat includes annealing an aluminum ingot at a temperature ranging from 450° C. to 500° C. for 5˜10 hours and the temperature is then reduced to 220° C.˜280° C. The aluminum ingot is then cold-forged. Next, property of the aluminum ingot is adjusted by heating the aluminum ingot to a temperature ranging from 450° C. to 600° C. for 3˜8 hours and the cooling the aluminum ingot in water. Then, the aluminum ingot is heated to a temperature ranging from 150° C. to 250° C. for 7˜11 hours. The aluminum ingot is then cut to a precise size and shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing areel seat for, e.g., a fishing rod.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A typical reel seat for a fishing rod is generally formed bymeans of squeezing a tube by a die from an outer periphery of the tubeto form a semi-product. However, during formation of the semi-product,burrs tend to formed on the bending portions and thus require trimming.In addition, the strength of the semi-product is not uniform and stressconcentration occurs after formation. It was further found thatconventional reel seats thus formed tend to deform and even break andare poor in stability and durability and the precision thereof is notsatisfactory. In addition, the bad production rate is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide animproved method for manufacturing a reel seat for, e.g., a fishing rod.The method comprises:

[0006] (a) annealing an aluminum ingot at a temperature ranging from450° C. to 500° C. for 5˜10 hours and the temperature is then reduced to220° C.˜280° C.;

[0007] (b) cold-forging the aluminum ingot after step (a);

[0008] (c) adjusting property of the aluminum ingot after step (b) byheating the aluminum ingot after step (b) to a temperature ranging from450° C. to 600° C. for 3˜8 hours and the cooling the aluminum ingot inwater;

[0009] (d) heating the aluminum ingot after step (c) to a temperatureranging from 150° C. to 250° C. for 7˜11 hours; and

[0010] (e) cutting the aluminum ingot to a precise size and shape.

[0011] The cutting step (e) is processed by computer numerical control.The method may further include a step of treating an outer surface ofthe aluminum ingot after step (e). The treating includes chemicalpolishing, anode treatment, coloring, and closing in.

[0012] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method for manufacturinga reel seat in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aluminum ingot formanufacturing the reel seat.

[0015]FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic sectional views illustratingcold-forging of the aluminum ingot.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reel seat formed by the methodin accordance with the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partly cutaway, of the reel seat inFIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method for manufacturinga reel seat (for, e.g., a fishing rod) in accordance with the presentinvention. Firstly, an aluminum ingot 2 (FIG. 1) is annealed at atemperature ranging from 450° C. to 500° C. for 5˜10 hours and thetemperature is then reduced to 220° C.˜280° C. (Step 100). This stepreduces rigidity of the aluminum ingot 2 and increases toughness of thealuminum ingot 2 such that the aluminum ingot 2 can be deformed easier.

[0019] Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the annealed aluminumingot 2 is placed between two dies 3 and 4 each having a protrusion 32,42 to proceed with cold forging (Step 102). The dies 3 and 4 are chosenaccording to need for forming the required shape and size of the reelseat.

[0020] After cold forging, strength of the deformed aluminum ingot 2 isnot uniform and stress concentration occurs. In the next step 104,property of the forged aluminum ingot 2 is adjusted by heating to atemperature ranging from 450° C. to 600° C. for 3˜8 hours and thealuminum ingot 2 is then cooled in water (quenching) (Step 104). Theinner molecules of the aluminum ingot 2 are rearranged in a more uniformmanner such that the bending portions of the aluminum ingot 2 have thesame rigidity as other portions. Quenching the aluminum ingot 2 quicklyincreases the strength and rigidity of the aluminum ingot 2; namely, thealuminum ingot 2 has the highest strength and rigidity at this time, yetthe toughness is reduced.

[0021] Next, the aluminum ingot 2 is subjected to heat treatment byheating it to a temperature ranging from 150° C. to 250° C. for 7˜11hours (Step 106). This step increases toughness of the aluminum ingot 2slightly such that the aluminum ingot 2 is rigid yet not fragile.

[0022] Thereafter, the aluminum ingot 2 after heat treatment is cut byCNC (Computer Numerical Control) to a more precise size and shape (Step108). Finally, the aluminum ingot 2 after cutting is proceeded withsurface treatment such as chemical polishing, anode treatment, coloring,and closing in (Step 110) to obtain a product 112 of reel seat.

[0023] It is found that the thickness of the reel seat manufactured bythe method in accordance with the present invention is thinner yet thestrength and rigidity are improved. The bending portions of the reelseat may bear relatively high torque and pull force. The reel seat isless likely to deform and fatigue even after a long-term use, therebyproviding a good stability and durability. In addition, the badproduction rate is lowered. Furthermore, unnecessary steps that arerequired for conventional methods are omitted in the method of thepresent invention. Further, the reel seat has a smooth outer surface (noburr is generated) as it is formed by cold-forging.

[0024] Although the invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for manufacturing a reel seat,comprising: (a) annealing an aluminum ingot at a temperature rangingfrom 450° C. to 500° C. for 5˜10 hours and the temperature is thenreduced to 220° C.˜280° C.; (b) cold-forging the aluminum ingot afterstep (a); (c) adjusting property of the aluminum ingot after step (b) byheating the aluminum ingot after step (b) to a temperature ranging from450° C. to 600° C. for 3˜8 hours and the cooling the aluminum ingot inwater; (d) heating the aluminum ingot after step (c) to a temperatureranging from 150° C. to 250° C. for 7˜11 hours; and (e) cutting thealuminum ingot to a precise size and shape.
 2. The method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the aluminum ingot is cut in step (e) by computernumerical control.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a step of treating an outer surface of the aluminum ingotafter step (e).
 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein thetreating includes chemical polishing, anode treatment, coloring, andclosing in.